Printing system including different kinds of printers and a printer selecting device therefor

ABSTRACT

A printing system including a plurality of different kinds of printers and a printer selecting device therefore are disclosed. The printer selecting device includes an accepting section for accepting information representative of a desired number of printings input, and selecting means for selecting one of the printers matching with the desired number of printings. Image data to be printed are sent from the printer selecting device to the printer selected. In this configuration, one printer adequate for the desired number of printings, which is an important factor for the selection of a printer, is automatically selected.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a printing system including a pluralityof different kinds of printers connected to each other, and a printerselecting device therefor.

It has been customary to arrange a printer and a scanner or similarimage data supply device in a pair. In a digital copier, for example,while a scanner or image data supply device reads a document image, aprinter electrophotographically prints out image data representative ofthe document image and output from the scanner. A facsimile apparatuswith a data sending and transmitting capability is constructed insubstantially the same manner as the digital copier. Also, a stencilprinter is similar to the digital copier except that the printer uses astencil. A laser printer or similar electrophotographic printer may beconnected to a word processor, personal computer or similar image datasupply device which outputs image data in the form of an electronicdocument. An image scanner may be connected to such a printer via, e.g.,a personal computer.

There has recently been proposed and put to practical use a printingsystem including the above image data supply devices and printersdistributed on a network, e.g., LAN. This printing system allows theimage data supply devices to share the printers and is disclosed in,e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. 4-153814, 7-214872 and9-330190. In a specific printing system, a plurality of image datasupply devices share a single printer or a plurality of printers of thesame kind, e.g., laser printers. In another specific printing system, aplurality of image data supply devices share a plural ity of printersdifferent in kind or performance, e.g., a laser printer, a digitalcopier, and a stencil printer. The system including different kinds ofprinters allows the operator to select desired one of the printers andthereby makes the most of the advantage of the individual printer. Alaser printer, for example, enhances image quality while a stencilprinter reduces the printing cost when a great number of printings aredesired.

However, the problem with the conventional printing systems is thatalthough the printers are selectable, it is difficult and troublesomefor the operator to determine which printer is adequate at the time ofprinting. More specifically, although the printers in the networkenvironment are selectable, the reference for selection depends merelyon the operator's knowledge and experience. This prevents a personlacking the knowledge of printers from selecting an adequate printer andthereby prevents the advantage of the individual printer from being mademost of.

Technologies relating to the present invention are also disclosed in,e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication Nos. 6-274292, 7-261953 and10-55255.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a printingsystem including a plural ity of different kinds of printers and aprinter selecting device capable of easily selecting adequate one of theprinters.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a printingsystem including a plurality of different kinds of printers including astencil printer suitable for the production of a great number ofprintings, and a printer selecting device capable of easily selectingadequate one of the printers.

In accordance with the present invention, a printer selecting deviceincludes an accepting section for accepting information representativeof a desired number of printings input. A selecting section selectsadequate one of a plurality of printers matching with the desired numberof printings. A data outputting section outputs image data to be printedto the printer selected.

Also, in accordance with the present invention, a printing systemincludes at least one image data supply device for outputting image datato be printed. At least one number setting device sets a desired numberof printings. A plurality of different kinds of printers each arecapable of printing the image data received from the image data supplydevice. A printer selecting device includes an accepting section foraccepting information representative of the desired number of printingsinput, a selecting section for selecting adequate one of the printersmatching with the desired number of printings, and a data outputtingsection for outputting the image data to the printer selected.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription taken with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a printing systemembodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a printer selecting deviceincluded in the illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart demonstrating a specific printer selectionprocedure available with the illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modification of the illustrativeembodiment;

FIGS. 5-7 are schematic block diagrams each showing another modificationof the illustrative embodiment;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams each showing still another modification ofthe illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram showing an alternative embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart representative of a specific printer selectionprocedure particular to the alternative embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is a front view showing a specific picture to appear on adisplay included in the alternative embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a printing system embodying thepresent invention is shown and generally designated by the referencenumeral 1. As shown, the printing system 1 includes a plurality ofpersonal computers (PCs) 2 (#1, #2, . . . ), a scanner 3, a laserprinter 4, a digital copier 5, and a stencil printer 6. Of course, thesystem 1 may include a single PC in place of the plurality of PCs 2. ThePCs 2, scanner 3, laser printer 4, digital copier and stencil printer 6are interconnected by LAN or similar network for interchanging data witheach other.

While the PCs 2 may be of the same kind or of different kinds, they areassume to be identical in major configuration hereinafter. The followingdescription will concentrate on one of the PCs 2. The PC 2 includes a PCbody 12, a keyboard 11 and a display 13 and generally has a documentpreparing function. Because the PC 2 is capable of supplying image datato be printed as an electronic document, it belongs to a family of imagedata supply devices referred to in the specification. The operator ofthe PC 2 inputs various kinds of information on the keyboard 11 andinputs, at the time of printing of an electronic document, a desirednumber of printings (or copies) on the keyboard 11. The display 13displays various kinds of information including a printer selected, aswill be described specifically later.

A controller 14 for executing various functions available with the PC 2is built in the PC body 12 and implemented by, e.g., a microprocessor.The controller 14 includes a printer selecting device which will bedescribed later. In this manner, the PC 2 has not only the image datasupplying function but also a number inputting function and a printerselecting function and therefore serves as a terminal unit for a simpleprinter. The scanner 3, which is another image data supply device, iscapable of reading a document image with an image sensor or opticalreading device and outputting digital image data representative of thedocument image.

The laser printer 4, which is a simple printer, includes aphotoconductive element and executes an electrophotographic process forforming an image with toner in accordance with image data. The laserprinter 4 includes a printer controller 15 for receiving image data viathe LAN 7.

The digital copier 5, which is another simple printer, includes anoperation panel 16, a scanner 17, and a printer 18. The printer 18 alsoincludes a photoconductive element and executes an electrophotographicprocess for forming an image with toner in accordance with image data.The scanner 17 is capable of reading a document image with an imagesensor or similar optical reading device and outputting digital imagedata representative of the image sensor and, in this sense, constitutesone of image data supply devices. The operation panel 16 has keysincluding numeral keys and a display implemented by an LC (LiquidCrystal) touch panel. Switches included in the keys and LC touch panelallow the operator to input desired information including a desirednumber of copies, so that the switches also constitute a number settingdevice. The LC touch panel displays various kinds of informationincluding a printer selected for printing an electronic document. Inthis manner, the copier 5 plays the role of a multiplex image processingmachine with an image feeding function and a number setting functionwhile playing the role of a printer.

The stencil printer 6, which is another simple printer, includes an inkdrum for wrapping a master or perforated stencil therearound. Thestencil printer 6 prints an image on a paper with ink via the master inaccordance with image data. The stencil printer 6 includes a printercontroller 19 for receiving image data via the LAN 7.

As stated above, the printing system 1 includes three different kinds ofprinters, i.e., the laser printer 4, digital copier 5 and stencilprinter 6. As for a printing cost for a single printing, the laserprinter 4 and digital copier 5 each using toner do not noticeably vary.By contrast, the stencil printer 6 using masters and ink reduces theprinting cost for a single printing with an increase in the desirednumber of printings. Therefore, at the present stage of development, thestencil printer 6 is lower in printing cost than the laser printer 4 anddigital copier 5 for a given number of printings, e.g., ten or moreprintings.

Reference will be made to FIG. 2 for describing the printer selectingdevice built in the controller 14 of the PC 2 specifically. As shown,the printer selecting device, generally 21, is generally made up ofaccepting means 22, deciding means 23, selecting means 24, dataoutputting means 25, and displaying means 26. The microprocessorconstituting the controller 14 controls the above various means.

The accepting means 22 accepts a desired number of printings input onthe keyboard, or number setting device, 11 when image data prepared bythe PC2 or ready by the scanner 3 should be printed. More specifically,printer selection utility software is stored in the PC 2 for playing therole of the accepting means 22. When a print command is input via theapplication software of the PC 2, the above printer selection utilitysoftware starts up and sets a desired number of printings. In thisconnection, when “file” and “print” are sequentially selected on apersonal computer, “printer” is usually displayed on the personalcomputer together with “status”, “kind”, “location” and “comment”without regard to the kind of basic software. In the illustrativeembodiment, the PC 2 displays “printer selection utility” in place ofthe above “printer”. More specifically, when the PC 2 displays “printerselection utility”, it does not display a printer which will beselected, but causes the printer selection utility to select a suitableprinter and display the printer selected.

The deciding means 23 compares the number of printings and a preselectedreference number and delivers the result of comparison to the selectingmeans 24. In response, the selecting means 24 automatically selects oneof the laser printer 4, digital copier 5 and stencil printer 6 matchingwith the number of printings accepted by the accepting means 22, i.e.,in accordance with the result of comparison.

The data outputting means 25 automatically sends image data prepared bythe PC 2 to the printer 4, 5 or 6 selected by the selecting means 24.The displaying means 26 displays the printer 4, 5 or 6 selected by theselecting means 24 on the display 13.

FIG. 3 demonstrates a specific procedure to be executed by thecontroller or microprocessor 14 of the PC 2 when image data read by thescanner 3 should be printed on the basis of the operation of the PC 2.As shown, the controller 14 obtains information on the input and outputdevices connected to the printing system 1, i.e., the scanner 3 andprinters 4, 5 and 6 (step S1). Then, the controller 14 determineswhether or not the scanner 3 has finished reading a document image (stepS2). If the answer of the step S2 is positive (Y), the controller 14checks the keyboard 11 to see if the operator has input a desired numberof printings or not (step S3). If the answer of the step S3 is Y, thecontroller 14 causes the printer selecting device to operate.Specifically, in the printer selecting device, the accepting means 22accepts the desired number of printings input on the keyboard 11, andthe deciding means 23 compares the desired number with the referencenumber which may be “10” (step S4).

If the desired number is greater than the reference number inclusive (Y,step S4), the controller 14 determines whether or not the stencilprinter 6 is connected to the printing system 1 (step S5). If the answerof the step S5 is Y, the controller 14 causes the selecting means 24 toselect the stencil printer 6 as a printer suitable for the desirednumber of printings. Subsequently, the controller 14 determines whetheror not the stencil printer 6 is in operation (step S6). If the answer ofthe step S6 is negative (N), the controller 14 causes the dataoutputting means 25 to send the image data to the stencil printer 6(step S7). At this instant, the controller 14 causes the displayingmeans 26 to display the selection of the stencil printer 6 on thedisplay 13 (step S8). This is followed by printing operation customarywith the stencil printer 6.

Assume that the desired number of printings is smaller than thereference number (N, step S4) or that the stencil printer is notconnected to the printing system 1 (N, step S5). Then, the controller 14causes the selecting means 24 to select the laser printer 4 or thedigital copier 5 as an adequate printer (Y, step S9). Subsequently, thecontroller 14 causes the data outputting means 25 to send the image datato the laser printer 4 or the digital copier 5 selected. At the sametime, the controller 14 causes the displaying means 26 to display thelaser printer 4 or the digital copier 5 selected on the display 13 (stepS11). This is followed by printing operation customary with the laserprinter 4 or the digital copier 5 selected.

As stated above, only if the operator of the PC 2 inputs a desirednumber of printings on the keyboard 11, the controller 14 automaticallyselects one of the printers 4-6 matching with the number of printingswhich is one of important factors for the selection of a printer. Thispromotes easy selection of an adequate printer.

Particularly, the illustrative embodiment includes the stencil printer 6capable of reducing the printing cost for a single printing with anincrease in the number of printings. The stencil printer 6 isautomatically selected when the desired number of printings is greaterthan the reference number, e.g., “10” which is advantageous from thecost standpoint. More specifically, one of major advantages of thestencil printer 6 is that it can produce printings with a single masterat a high speed and at a constant low cost. To calculate printing costsincluding the costs of masters, the printer selection utility softwarecalculates a particular cost of a master for each number of printings.Because the cost of a master and that of ink cost depend on the kind ofa master and that of ink, the user is expected to input them. Thisallows the user to customize the printing costs, or reference forselection, and thereby enhances convenient use of the printing system 1.

The display 13 showing the printer automatically selected allows theuser to easily confirm the printer before actual printing operation.Particularly, a printer cannot sometimes be simply selected on the basisof the printing cost and printing speed, depending on the kinds ofprinters included in a system configuration and functions availabletherewith. For example, assume that the operator desires full-colorprintings or resolution as high as 1,200 dpi (dots per inch). Then, thestate-of-the-art stencil printer 6 cannot produce desirable full-colorprintings or implement high resolution as high as 1,200 dpi.

In light of the above, attributes or characteristics may be displayedtogether with a printer automatically selected, so that the operator canaccept the printer or replace it with another printer. There may beadditionally displayed how much the stencil printer 6 is lower inprinting cost than the other printers when selected on the basis of thenumber of printings. Further, at least the stencil printer 6 may beregistered at the printing system 1 beforehand as an essential printer.Then, when the printer selecting device 21 cannot find the stencilprinter 6 because of, e.g., the power-off state of the printer 6, amessage for urging the operator to turn on the power switch of theprinter 6 may be displayed. The whole printing system 1 can thereforemake the most of the advantage available with each of the differentkinds of printers 4-6.

While the printing system 1 has been shown and described as printingimage data output from the scanner 3 on the basis of the operation ofthe PC 2, it is capable of printing an electronic document prepared onthe PC 2 in the same manner.

In the above embodiment, the printer selecting device 21 is built in thecontroller 14 of the PC 2. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 1, acontroller or microprocessor 20 may be built in the digital copier ormultiplex image processing machine 5 and include a device similar to theprinter selecting device 21. The device included in the controller 20operates in the same manner as the device 21 when the printing system 1prints image data output from the scanner 17 on the basis of operationof the operation panel 16.

While the stencil printer 6 is implemented as a simple printer in theillustrative embodiment, it, like the digital copier 5, may beimplemented as a multiplex image processing machine including a scanneror image data supply device, an operation panel or number settingdevice, and a printer selecting device. In this case, when the desirednumber of printings is less than the reference number, e.g., “10”, theymay be output via the laser printer 4 or the digital printer 5.

FIG. 4 shows a modification of the printing system 1. As shown, theprinting system 1 includes a full-color digital copier 5C in addition tothe digital copier 5. That is, the system 1 may accommodate a pluralityof apparatuses of each kind some of which are adaptive to color imageformation.

The laser printer 4 serving as a simple printer may be replaced with anink jet printer or a dot printer, if desired. Likewise, the digitalcopier 5 may be replaced with a facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 5 shows another modification of the illustrative embodiment. Asshown, a printing system 1A does not include the PCs 2, but includes thedigital copier or image data supply device 5 with the controller 20 inwhich the printer selecting device is bui It in.

FIG. 6 shows still another modification of the illustrative embodiment.As shown, a printing system 1B includes the digital copier 5 and astencil printer 32 interconnected by a simple cable 31 as distinguishedfrom the LAN 7 or similar network. The digital copier 5 and stencilprinter 32 each serves as a multiplex image processing machine alone.Specifically, the stencil printer 32, like the digital copier 5,includes a scanner 33, an operation panel 34, a printer 35, and acontroller 36. In operation, when the desired number of printings inputon the operation panel 16 of the digital copier 5 is greater than thereference number inclusive, an external output mode is automaticallyselected. When the operator recognizing the external output mode pressesan acknowledge key, image data read by the scanner 17 are sent to theoutside, i.e., the stencil printer 32. In this sense, the digital copier5 bifunctions as a number setting device and a printer selecting device.

A printer function available with a digital copier has customarilyreferred to the fact that the copier functions as a printer whenconnected to a personal computer. In the modification shown in FIG. 6,the digital copier 5 has a function of outputting image data from itsscanner 17 to the outside. Therefore, connecting the multiplex stencilprinter 32 to the copier 5 as an external output unit is particularlysuccessful to reduce the printing cost when the desired number ofprintings is great.

FIG. 7 shows yet another modification of the illustrative embodiment. Asshown, a printing system 1C includes the laser printer 4 and stencilprinter 6 each having a simple printing function and connected to theLAN 7. All image data to be printed out are fed from the PCs 2 to thelaser printer 4 or the stencil printer 6.

FIG. 8 shows a further modification of the illustrative embodiment. Asshown, a printing system 1D includes a printer selecting device 37constructed into a unit and connected to the PC 2, digital copier 5 andmultiplex stencil printer 32 by the LAN 7. The printer selecting unit 37may included a display 38. The printing system 1D can be constructedwithout any change in the software of the PC 2. This successfullyobviates troubles on the system and enhances maintenance.

FIG. 9 shows a printing system 1E which is a modified form of theprinting system 1D of FIG. 8. As shown, the printing system 1E does notinclude any PC 2 corresponding to a server, but includes a peer-to-peeror similar simple LAN configuration. The system 1E enhancesgeneral-purpose application more than the system 1D and can be used asif it were networked. The system 1E is therefore practicable withoutresorting to a network.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 10-12. The structural elements of thealternative embodiment identical with those of the previous embodimentare designated by identical reference numerals and will not be describedspecifically in order to avoid redundancy. Briefly, while the previousembodiment automatically selects a printer, this embodiment allows theoperator to select it. This embodiment is identical in general systemconfiguration with the previous embodiment, but differs from theprevious embodiment in that it includes a printer selecting device 41.

As shown in FIG. 10, the printer selecting device 41 includes additionalinformation calculating means 42, operating and displaying means 43 anddata outputting means 44 in addition to the accepting means 22. Thecontroller or microprocessor 14 controls the above various means.

The accepting means 22 accepts a desired number of printings input onthe keyboard, or number setting device, 11 when image data prepared bythe PC2 or ready by the scanner 3 should be printed out. Morespecifically, the printer selection utility software stored in the PC 2plays the role of the accepting means 22. When a print command is inputvia the application software of the PC 2, the above printer selectionutility software starts up and sets a desired number of printings.

The additional information calculating means 42 is informed of theperformance of each of the printers 4-6 beforehand. The calculationmeans 42 calculates, for each of the printers 4-6, a printing cost for asingle printing and a printing time necessary for the printer to producethe number of printings accepted by the accepting means 22.

The operating and displaying means 43 causes the display 13 to displaythe printers 4-6 together with additional information or attributesparticular thereto in such a manner that the operator can select any oneof them. The additional information each includes a cost for a singleprinting, a printing time and an image quality level available with aparticular printer and determined by the additional informationcalculating means 42.

The data outputting means 44 automatically sends image data prepared bythe PC 2 to the printer 4, 5 or 6 selected on the keyboard 11.Therefore, in the illustrative embodiment, the operating and displaysection is constituted by the keyboard 11 and display 13.

FIG. 11 demonstrates a specific procedure to be executed by thecontroller or microprocessor 14 with the printer selecting device 41when image data read by the scanner 3 should be printed out on the basisof the operation of the PC 2. As shown, the controller 14 obtainsinformation on the input and output devices connected to the printingsystem 1, i.e., the scanner 3 and printers 4, 5 and 6 (step S21). At thesame time, the controller 14 obtains the performances of the printers4-6 including processing speeds and image quality levels. Then, thecontroller 14 determines whether or not the scanner 3 has finishedreading a document image (step S22). If the answer of the step S22 is Y,the controller 14 determines whether or not a print command is input(step S23). If the answer of the step S23 is Y, the controller 14 causesthe printer selection utility to start operating (step S24) forexecuting the following sequence of steps.

First, the printer selection utility determines whether or not theoperator has input a desired number of printings on the keyboard 11(step S25). If the answer of the step S25 is Y, the utility displaysprinters usable in the network environment together with theirattributes including printing costs, image quality levels and printingtimes. Such attributes are fed from the printers via SNMP (SimpleNetwork Management Protocol) or similar general-purpose protocol, whichis a specific network protocol, as MIB (Management Information Base).More specifically, the additional information calculating means 42calculates, for each of the printers, a printing cost for a singleprinting and a printing time necessary for the printer to produce thenumber of printings accepted by the accepting means 22 (step S26). Theoperation displaying means 43 displays the printers and the aboveprinter-by-printer additional information on the display 13 togetherwith image quality levels available with the printers (step S27). FIG.12 shows a specific picture to appear on the display 13 and showing theprinters and the printer-by-printer additional information determined bythe calculating means 42.

Subsequently, the utility determines whether or not the operatorwatching the display 13 has selected any one of the printers on thekeyboard 11 (step S28). If the answer of the step S28 is Y, the utilitydetermines whether a key

, FIG. 12, assigned to the laser printer 4 is pressed (step S29) or akey

, FIG. 12, assigned to the digital copier 5 is pressed (step S30).

When the key

is pressed (Y, step S29), the utility selects the laser printer 4 andcauses the data outputting means 44 to send image data to the laserprinter 4. When the key

is pressed (Y, step S30), the utility selects the digital copier 5 andcauses the data outputting means 44 to send image data to the digitalcopier 5 (step S32). Further, if the answer of the step S30 is N,meaning that a key

, FIG. 12, is pressed, the utility selects the stencil printer 6 andcauses the data outputting means 44 to send image data to the stencilprinter 6 (step S33).

As stated above, only if the operator inputs a desired number ofprintings, the controller 14 shows, based on the number of printingswhich is a critical factor for the selection of a printer, the printersand additional information or attributes particular thereto on thedisplay 13. The operator can therefore easily select an adequate printerby referencing the additional information. Specifically, the user iscapable of comparing the printers with respect to the printing cost,printing time and image quality and easily selecting one of the printermatching with the desired number of printings.

Modern digital copiers each includes a display panel comparable infunction with the monitor of a personal computer. This allows thespecific picture shown in FIG. 12 to appear even on the operation panel16 of the digital copier 5, as well known in the art. In such a case,the image output unit itself displays the reference for the user'sdecision from the standpoint of printing cost, image quality level andprinting speed.

In the illustrative embodiment, the printer-by-printer printing costsfor a single printing are calculated on the basis of the desired numberof printings. The printer selection utility therefore may compare theprinting costs and recommend, based on the result of comparison, theoperator a particular printer lower in printing cost than the others.For example, the utility may cause, e.g., the key

assigned to the stencil printer 6 to blink. Seeing the blinking key

and additional information particular thereto, the operator may pressthe key

if the stencil printer 6 is acceptable. Then, a picture showing varioussettings available with the stencil printer 6, e.g.,enlargement/reduction available with a conventional printer driverappears in place of the picture of FIG. 12. After the operator hascompleted setting on the above picture, printing operation begins. Ofcourse, the operator may press the key

or

on the picture of FIG. 12 in order to select the laser printer 4 or thedigital copier 5.

In the illustrative embodiment, the keyboard 11 and display 13constituting the operation and display section may be mounted on anyother printer, as in the previous embodiment.

In summary, it will be seen that the present invention provides aprinting system and a printer selecting device having variousunprecedented advantages, as enumerated below.

(1) When a desired number of printings which is an important factor forthe selection of a printer is input, one of a plurality of printersmatching with the above number is automatically selected. An adequateprinter can therefore be easily selected.

(2) When a stencil printer capable of reducing a printing cost for asingle printing with an increase in the number of printings isavailable, the stencil printer is automatically selected if more than apreselected number of printings advantageous in the cost aspect aredesired. The stencil printer can therefore be easily selected as anadequate printer.

(3) Because the printer automatically selected appears on a display, theoperator can confirm it before actual printing operation.

(4) Assume that the plurality of printers include the stencil printer,and that the desired number of printings is greater than the preselectednumber. Then, the stencil printer selected by selecting means isdisplayed together with information showing how much the stencil printeris lower in printing cost than the other printers. The operator cantherefore recognize the superiority of, e.g., the stencil printer to theother printers specifically.

(5) The printer selected by the selecting means and appearing on thedisplay can be replaced with another printer. The operator can thereforeclearly see the printer selected and make the final decision on theprinter to use.

(6) The printers are displayed on the operation and display sectiontogether with printer-by-printer additional information based on thenumber of printings. The operator can therefore easily select adequateone of the printers by referencing the additional information.

(7) The additional information include at least one of a printing costfor a single printing, a printing time, and an image quality level. Thisallows the operator to easily see a printer advantageous in cost,printing time or image quality and therefore to easily select desirableone of the printers.

(8) A printing system includes a printer selecting device capable ofselecting any one of the printers. The system therefore selects anadequate printer easily and makes the most of the advantage of theindividual printer. The system is particularly advantageous when theprinters include the stencil printer.

(9) The printing system allows the user to customize the printing costparticular to the stencil printer and can therefore be constructed tothe user's taste.

(10) The stencil printer is registered at the printer selecting devicebeforehand as an essential printer. When the stencil printer is notfound at the time of operation, the printer selecting device reports theabsence of the stencil printer to the operator. Therefore, when, e.g.,the power switch of the stencil printer is not turned on, the printerselecting device urges the operator to turn on the power switch. Thisprevents the stencil printer superior in cost to the other printers frombeing excluded. This is successful to make the most of the advantage ofthe stencil printer.

(11) At least one of the printers is implemented as a multiplex imageprocessing machine including an image data supply device and a numbersetting device. The printing system can therefore include not only asimple printer but also a digital copier or a facsimile apparatusincluding an operation panel, a scanner and a printer or a stencilprinter including a scanner. The multiplex machine may be adaptive tocolor image formation as distinguished from usual monochromatic imageformation. The multiplex machine may include the printer selectingdevice in addition to the image data supply device and number settingdevice.

(12) Each printer includes a printer controller for receiving image datato be printed out. At least one terminal unit including the image datasupply device, number setting device and printer selecting device andthe printer controllers of the printers are interconnected by acommunication medium so as to interchange data. Therefore, there can beimplemented even a printing system in which a plurality of differentkinds of printers each having a simple printing function and personalcomputers or similar terminal units each including the operation panel,printer selecting device and image data supply device are interconnectedby a communication medium.

(13) When the printer selecting device is constructed into a unit, it isnot necessary to change or modify, e.g., the software of the systemconstituents other than the printer selecting device. This obviatestroubles on the system and facilitates maintenance.

Various modifications will become possible for those skilled in the artafter receiving the teachings of the present disclosure withoutdeparting from the scope thereof.

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A printer selecting device comprising: acceptingmeans for accepting input information representative of a desired numberof printings; operating and displaying means for displaying on anoperation and display section a plurality of printers together withprinter-by-printer additional information indicating at least a printingcost for decision and based on the desired number of printings in such amanner that any one of said plurality of printers can be selected; anddata outputting means for outputting image data to be printed to theprinter selected on said operation and display section.
 12. A printer asclaimed in claim 11, wherein said printer-by-printer additionalinformation also indicates at least one of a printing time and an imagequality level. 13-36. (canceled)
 37. A printer selecting devicecomprising: an accepting section configured to accept input informationrepresentative of a desired number of printings; an operating anddisplaying section configured to display on an operation and displaysection a plurality of printers together with printer-by-printeradditional information indicating at least a printing cost for decisionand based on the desired number of printings in such a manner that anyone of said plurality of printers can be selected; and a data outputtingsection configured to output image data to be printed to the printerselected on said operation and display section.
 38. A printer as claimedin claim 37, wherein said printer-by-printer additional information alsoindicates a printing time and an image quality level.
 39. A printerselecting device comprising: accepting means for accepting inputinformation representative of a desired number of printings; operatingand displaying means for displaying on an operation and display sectiona plurality of printers together with printer-by-printer additionalinformation indicating at least a printing time for decision and basedon the desired number of printings in such a manner that any one of saidplurality of printers can be selected; and data outputting means foroutputting image data to be printed to the printer selected on saidoperation and display section.
 40. A printer as claimed in claim 39,wherein said printer-by-printer additional information also indicates animage quality level.
 41. A printer selecting device comprising: anaccepting section configured to accept input information representativeof a desired number of printings; an operating and displaying sectionconfigured to display on an operation and display section a plurality ofprinters together with printer-by-printer additional informationindicating at least a printing time for decision and based on thedesired number of printings in such a manner that any one of saidplurality of printers can be selected; and a data outputting sectionconfigured to output image data to be printed to the printer selected onsaid operation and display section.
 42. A printer as claimed in claim41, wherein said printer-by-printer additional information alsoindicates an image quality level.
 43. A printer selecting devicecomprising: accepting means for accepting input informationrepresentative of a desired number of printings; operating anddisplaying means for displaying on an operation and display section aplurality of printers together with printer-by-printer additionalinformation indicating at least an image quality level for decision andbased on the desired number of printings in such a manner that any oneof said plurality of printers can be selected; and data outputting meansfor outputting image data to be printed to the printer selected on saidoperation and display section.
 44. A printer selecting devicecomprising: an accepting section configured to accept input informationrepresentative of a desired number or printings; an operating anddisplaying section configured to display on an operation and displaysection a plurality of printers together with printer-by-printeradditional information indicating at least an image quality level fordecision and based on the desired number of printing in such a mannerthat any one of said plurality of printers can be selected; and a dataoutputting section configured to output image data to be printed to theprinter selected on said operation and display section.